Session Six – Esther 6:6-11

How many of you remember what "chiastic structure" means . . . "peripety"?

Ahh, I don't feel so bad!

This session we were shown that even the structure of a book can be used to give depth to a story. Beth introduced two literary devices that were used in the Book of Esther, and I am not even going to pretend that I can properly sum up what she said. I will, however, give you the Merriam Webster dictionary's definition of peripety - "a sudden or unexpected reversal of circumstances or situation especially in a literary work." This, Beth said, is what the sixth chaper of Esther is . . . the place where the story of Esther pivots and there is a reversal of destiny.

The second literary device – chiastic structure – takes it's meaning from the Greek letter, "chi", which is the first letter of the word "chiastic". The letter itself is written like an "X" and means, in Greek, a crossing. The device is used to illustrate a theme that occurs several times throughout a story. We learned that "feasts or banquets" are a recurring theme in Esther and it is at a banquet in the sixth book of Esther that the reversal of the destiny of the Jewish people begins to take shape.

While I was watching this session, I began to think about some of the significant "hinge" moments in my life and it brought me to a new understanding of the goodness of God toward me. Was anyone else impacted? Beth pointed out that the King's "hinge moment" didn't happen where we might have thought it would happen – it was during his sleep . . . more to the point, when he was unable to sleep. Have any of you been surprised at the place God has chosen to reverse your destiny? If you'd like to share, you're welcome to leave a comment, or go to the "Study group members only . . . " link in the upper right hand corner.

Beth finished the session with "Scenario #7 – it's tough being a woman who feels responsible for the 'how'." Her antidote – God is responsible for the how . . . we, like Esther, are called to be obedient. (Hmmm, maybe there should be a Scenario #7(b) – it's tough being a woman who has to let go of the 'how' and be obedient!)

I am so looking forward to our first study of 2010 . . .

. . . see you on Saturday! Jan : )

Session Five – Esther 5:1 – 8

Timing is everything!

I have heard it said, and have had it said to me . . . and sometimes it really irks me. I try not to think of myself as impatient but if I'm honest, I know I am. I have been mulling over Beth's comment that we are "being trained in impatience". How many of us walk into Winner's or Costco and buy what we think we might want because we know if we don't, it will be gone when we go back. Am I the only one that has succumbed???

That's a shallow example, I know, but I was reminded yesterday at Missionsfest that we so often live out our faith that way. Several missionaries spoke about the years of sowing before seeing any results and that the expectation in reality is that they may never reap what they have sown. What keeps them going? It's not about them, it's about being faithful to what God called them to do, because He knows the plan.

In this session, we learned a lot about the timing that goes on behind the plan. We learned that:

• all may seem right but it may not be the right time - Esther took the time to fast and pray, to prepare herself . . . then she waited. I love what Beth shared with us from the Midrash that, based on several OT passages, on the 3rd day of a fast there could be an expectation of relief from dire distress (Gen 22:4, Jonah 1:17, Hosea 6:2)
• we need to step aside from requiring that our honor be upheld , , , there is often a much bigger picture - Esther needed the deliverance of a people, not just Haman's head
• there is a power that comes with wisdom and waiting - the timing wasn't right for Haman . . . sometimes God says "let's just see how far this goes."

I don't know how Esther KNEW what she needed to do . . . when to wait and when to move forward . . . but God was with her and, as we will see, the BIG plan played out. But let's not think that it was a cake walk for her. Can I take licence and think that she would agree with "Scenario #6 – It's tough being a woman who can balance passion with patience!"

Finally, the gold nugget for me was at the end and it answered my often asked question – how does a person wait???? Beth shared with us her answer . . . and the answer from the Word – our strength will be depleted when we wait on the THING . . . the EVENT . . . we need to wait on HIM . . .

But those who wait ON THE LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

- Isaiah 40:31 -

Bless you, ladies : )